Trade minister talks up Canada in Russia

OTTAWA — International Trade Minister Ed Fast will reiterate Canada’s strong opposition to protectionism and survey opportunities for Canadian companies during a five-day visit to Russia this week.

The visit started Monday in the city of Kazan where Fast joined trade ministers from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation bloc.

“At the APEC meeting, the minister will highlight Canada’s strong commitment to supporting freer and more open trade and reiterate Canada’s belief that protectionism is toxic to global recovery efforts,” reads a press release from Fast’s office.

The minister will then lead nearly 30 Canadian companies on a trade mission through Russia where they will explore opportunities in the construction, aerospace and mining sectors.

With the trip, Fast has now led trade missions to all four so-called BRIC countries — the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China — during his first year as trade minister.

Canada and Russia trade $2.78 billion worth of goods last year, including $1.5 billion in exports.

The political relationship between Canada and Russia, however, has been anything but smooth in recent years.

The Conservative government repeatedly played up the threat Russia posed to the Arctic and global security during its time in power — though those messages have been scaled back over the past year.

Russia, meanwhile, has been accused of receiving classified information before spying charges were laid against a Canadian military officer earlier this year. Those charges have not been proved in court and a publication ban has limited the amount of information surrounding the case.